Conference Realignment: What Next?

[jbarajas0490]

I'm still in shock. The B1G is out of control. Poaching UCLA away, how is this possible. This is worse than Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, don't feel right. I don't want to watch the Badgers travel to LA.

[kayako]

Gonzaga to the Big East makes a lot more sense now

If we're to trying to compare, even USC has UCLA tagging along. Problem for Gonzaga is the lack of any worthy school in its vicinity the BE would accept.

[Xudash]

I'm still in shock. The B1G is out of control. Poaching UCLA away, how is this possible. This is worse than Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, don't feel right. I don't want to watch the Badgers travel to LA.

With all due respect, many if not most fans believe this news to be insane, whereas the leaders of these universities and the involved media giants see this as a logical next step.

[DeltaV]

I'm still in shock. The B1G is out of control. Poaching UCLA away, how is this possible. This is worse than Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, don't feel right. I don't want to watch the Badgers travel to LA.

With all due respect, many if not most fans believe this news to be insane, whereas the leaders of these universities and the involved media giants see this as a logical next step.

I think the media and university leaders see this as the real first step to two super conferences. BIG and SEC will fill out and essentially be the AFC and NFC. Maybe go back to divisions for some more geographic sensibilities, but they'll distance themselves from the rest of the schools, for football at least, and essentially become pro.

The rest of sports may go back to actually valuing education, as has been whispered about even Notre Dame.

[Xudash]

I'm still in shock. The B1G is out of control. Poaching UCLA away, how is this possible. This is worse than Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, don't feel right. I don't want to watch the Badgers travel to LA.

With all due respect, many if not most fans believe this news to be insane, whereas the leaders of these universities and the involved media giants see this as a logical next step.

I think the media and university leaders see this as the real first step to two super conferences. BIG and SEC will fill out and essentially be the AFC and NFC. Maybe go back to divisions for some more geographic sensibilities, but they'll distance themselves from the rest of the schools, for football at least, and essentially become pro.

The rest of sports may go back to actually valuing education, as has been whispered about even Notre Dame.

I believe you are spot on with this. I also continue to believe that they are solving for football and that basketball and the NCAAT will not be impacted by these moves.

I am looking for a truly defendable reason for why they will not screw up the NCAAT and I keep coming up with the television executives. If we accept that both ESPN and Fox are behind the curtain, helping to cause all of these massive shifts in conference realignment, then it is also true that, in this case, CBS, et al will dictate the value of the television package for the NCAAT. Inclusiveness is the pixie dust of that tournament. Everyone and their mother knows and understands that.

Everything that we are seeing now is all about football. We have to continue to hope and believe that they are solving for football and that basketball is along for the ride. We have to navigate the NIL piece. We have to hope that our television package remains strong for a basketball conference.

Otherwise and seriously, what must Boston College‘s AD be thinking right now? And he obviously is not alone.

[DeltaV]

One of the big differences between basketball and football (actually, more specifically NFL and NBA) is the amount of time players have to wait before leaving for the pros. Basketball players only have to wait one year, and there is more of a push lately to allow them to go straight into the NBA (can't they go G League or whatever it's called right away? Or play in Europe), while there really is no other option for football players than wait three years in college.

I think that means college players may want to actually be there a bit more. There are a lot more options out there if college ball players want to get paid, instead of NCAA football being the only real minor league. My point is somewhat tangential, but I think that means that college basketball teams will be treated a bit less like pro teams than big college football. Sure, many players still dream of playing pro, but they don't have to be in college to continue on that path.

[DudeAnon]

All financial indicators indicate college athletics has never been stronger. Y'all are a bunch of pessimists

[Xudash]

All financial indicators indicate college athletics has never been stronger. Y'all are a bunch of pessimists

Do a little research into the amount of student fees that subsidize most college athletic departments (i.e. outside probably the top 15 - 20 schools; the Ohio State, Texas and Alabama's of the world) and get back to us on your thoughts about the financial strength of college athletics, at least at the highest level for especially programs that field a football team.

[gtmoBlue]

The football 5 or so are solving for football - only. Let'er rip.

The B1G wants Notre Dame so that they can humble the Golden Domers, finally. Notre Dame: Just say no.
Also, regardless of how this all sorts out...just say no to any overtures from Kansas.

gtmo

[DudeAnon]

All financial indicators indicate college athletics has never been stronger. Y'all are a bunch of pessimists

Do a little research into the amount of student fees that subsidize most college athletic departments (i.e. outside probably the top 15 - 20 schools; the Ohio State, Texas and Alabama's of the world) and get back to us on your thoughts about the financial strength of college athletics, at least at the highest level for especially programs that field a football team.

In my lifetime I have seen college athletics do nothing but get larger. Bigger stadiums, tv deals, ticket prices etc. But somehow I am supposed to conclude the sport is dying vs minor league football?